Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Afghans have welcomed Pakistan’s PM-in-waiting Imran Khan’s push for open border with Afghanistan but many have suspicions if PTI’s government will be able to adopt an independent foreign policy vis-à-vis neighbouring countries.

Imran Khan in his victory speech on July 26 talked about open border with Afghanistan at a time when security forces are involved in fencing of the border to check illegal cross-border movement.

“We want to work in every possible way to ensure peace in Afghanistan. I would love an open border system like the European Union with Afghanistan,” Imran Khan said in a televised address a day after his PTI party emerged as the single largest part in the July 25 elections.

Afghan parliamentarian Elay Ershad supported Imran Khan’s proposal for open border with Afghanistan and his call for peace in the war-ravaged country.

“If Imran Khan goes for open border with Afghanistan and play a role for peace and stability in Afghanistan, we will welcome it,” Elay told Daily Times from Kabul on Sunday.

She said a change in Pakistan’s policies towards Afghanistan will be widely welcomed in Afghanistan but time will prove if “Imran Khan uses his powers to implement what he has said.”

Naseer Ahmad Durrani, President of the Afghan Students Union at the International Islamic University Islamabad, says Imran Khan’s idea for open border with Afghanistan is good news for the people on both sides.

“Many Afghans want to come to Pakistan for studies but they cannot do so because of the current travel restrictions. If Imran Khan opts for open border, it will encourage many Afghans to come for admissions to Pakistani educational institutions,” Durrani told Daily Times.

Ahmadullah Ahmadzai, an Afghan analyst, described Imran Khan’s proposal as a good option to bring the two neighbours closer and said that it would be a major step if accomplished.

“But Imran Khan is an emotional personality and I think such a decision is beyond his powers. There is a general impression in Afghanistan that these issues are not within the limits of civilian leadership in Pakistan. Imran Khan must keep in mind ground realities while making announcements about Afghanistan,” Ahmadzai insisted.

Anayat Safi, an Afghan social activist in eastern Kunar province, said Afghans fully back Imran Khan’s suggestion for open border with Afghanistan and said such an initiative will give a boost to the people-to-people contacts.

“We support Imran Khan’s approach and want that he pursues the policy in future,” Safi told Daily Times from Asad Abad, the capital of Kunar, bordering Pakistan.

He also agreed with Imran Khan’s remarks that Afghans had suffered due to the longest war and that peace in Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan and the whole region. He urged the PTI leader to ensure that there should be no cross-border rocket firing.

Zahid Jalali, a Kabul-based journalist says Afghans have warmly received Imran Khan’s suggestion for open border like the EU.

“Both countries have lots of commonalities like the European countries and the two governments should accomplish the dream for the people on both sides,” Jalai told Daily Times.

“Open border seems difficult in the near future in view of the current situation but the people will be happy if both the governments take such a courageous step to make it possible,” he said.

Najam Shinwari, an Afghan political analyst, was of the view that open border would give a boost to bilateral trade as tense relations and closure of the border had badly affected trade and economic relations.

“Although Imran Khan’s has floated a good idea, Afghans believe political government cannot take such a bold decision,” Shinwari said.

He, however, urged Imran Khan to exempt patients, aged Afghans, women and children who want to come for treatment to Pakistan as the option of open border seemed difficult to be implemented.

“The situation at Torkham border is very bad and people have to wait for hours to enter Pakistan. There is no precedent in the world of the mess currently witnessed at the main Torkham crossing point,” he said.

It might be mentioned that Pakistan introduced in 2016 for the first time passport and visas for all Afghans who want to enter Pakistan via Torkham border. The system will also be extended to other crossing points, according to officials.

Published in Daily Times, July 30^th 2018.